17 Iranian troopers die in clashes

Tehran: At least 17 Iranian border guards were killed in clashes near the Iran-Pakistan border, a media report said Saturday.

The armed conflict, which took place Friday evening near Saravan city bordering Pakistan in the Sistan and Baluchestan province, left 17 guards dead and many injured, reported Xinhua citing the official IRNA news agency.

Rajabali Sheikhzadeh, Iran`s deputy governor general for political and security affairs of the province, confirmed the death of border forces but declined to give further details.

An informed source said that bandits or rebels were behind the attack.

Units of military and security forces from other cities of the province were dispatched to the border area, the report said.